What is IT Development Software?

IT development software helps users to track and manage the process of software development. It enables companies to collaborate on project tasks and enhances the efficiency of the IT development process. The various types of IT development software include: mobile development, continuous integration, continuous deployment, continuous delivery, configuration management, build automation, and integrated development environment (IDE). Show more Advanced solutions enhance the capabilities of employees by facilitating upgraded collaboration, and they also help companies to understand and cater to the demands of their customers. To select the perfect IT development app for your organization, consider our current leader Microsoft Visual Studio as well as other top platforms we have reviewed. Show less

How was this ranking made?

In order to devise this list of best IT Development Software we have analyzed 472 leading tools currently available on the market, contrasting their features, ease-of-use, customer service, available integrations with other systems and mobile device support using our patented SmartScoreTM rating system. This list has been created by Jenny Chang, our B2B expert responsible for the IT Development Software category.

Bitbucket is a web-based hosting solution for projects that use either the Mercurial or Git revision control systems. This makes it attractive to both professional developers and coders. The application also provides a distributed control system to facilitate easy scaling and easy collaboration.

Microsoft Visual Studio is a rich, integrated development environment for creating stunning applications for Windows, Android, and iOS, among others. It provides development teams with version control, agile planning, and application management tools.

This Platform-as-a-Service gives developers intelligent tools for creating and deploying apps. It also has an intuitive and responsive layout that further accelerates the process. Additionally, it connects with third-party solutions to streamline your overall app development workflow.

An online all-in-one solution dedicated to the rare combination of project and code management for teams involved in software development. It combines project tracking and developer tools in one platform, as well as a powerful bug tracking feature that outlines and organizes reported issues for the developer teams to follow easily.

Microsoft Azure is a software solution that offers tools and services to help developers build and manage enterprise, mobile, web, and Internet of Things (IoT) apps. With this, IT professionals can be swift in their tasks. Plus, the platform can run not just on Windows but on Linux and particular containers as well, making it highly adaptable.

Xamarin is a streamlined and simplified Android, iOS, and Windows Mobile app development platform that uses C# and .NET to deliver popular app solutions. It is a well-known solution among developers because it saves time. Thus, they are able to produce more projects without sacrificing quality in both performance and design.

OutSystems is the fastest and most comprehensive way to create, deploy, change, and manage custom mobile and web applications. With its rapid application development approach, developers enjoy a faster time to market. The same also applies even when they make alterations to an app that has already been deployed.

IntelliJ IDEA is a Java integrated development environment (IDE) that is highly popular among software developers and software companies. Its features work wondrously out-of-the-box, allowing maximum productivity.

This complete mobile app development platorm allows businesses to build useful applications without the technical proficiency typically required by other similar applications. This approach allows these businesses to speed up delivery of targets while enhancing efficiency and productivity.

There are numerous good choices available for IT development software which makes selecting the right one a tough task. Don’t get taken in by the marketing hype of online vendors. Pick a reputable provider who will stay with you over the length of the contract. Read on to learn more such tips in this buyer’s guide which can help you sort out the best IT development software programs and vendors from the average ones.

Get to know each product with free trial

Sign up for the free trials or demo of all the platforms in your shortlist and test drive each software’s features to find out about their usability and benefits. This will help you realize if the IT management software for enterprises or SMBs actually lives up to the boasts of the vendor. Reading about features and using them in real world are two different things. Get feedback from your company’s users about the strengths and drawbacks of the software. Use the free trial period to do a comparison and gauge which system will a suitable one for your organization over the long term. To start, you can register for the free trials of the following tools which have received high rankings and user satisfaction rating in our IT development software reviews to choose the best IT Development software for your needs: Zoho Creator reviews,Mule ESB,Stackify, andApplozic.

Targeted Businesses

Small businesses can use IT development tools to solve complex business problems.

IT companies and medium-sized companies can also make use of the solution

Large enterprises are also potential customers for IT development tools vendors.

Startups can also leverage IT development platforms to gain traction in the industry.

Low-code development – Uses visual elements for development rather than coding.

Key Features of IT Development Software

Application level security – Lets you control access to apps on a per-user role or per-user basis.

Row-level (or multi-tenant) security – This is an important aspect of reporting, BI, and B2B applications. It lets you control data access within a single app at the row level, which means multiple users can access the app but can only view the information they are permitted to see.

Single sign-on – Users can enter their name and password in one place to access multiple apps.

User privilege parameters – These are used to personalize security and features to individual users and user roles.

User-specific data sources – This feature is similar to row-level security but at a database level. It lets you build a single app that accesses various data sources depending on the user.

Application activity auditing – Enables developers to log end-users’ sign on/sign off activities. This allows IT departments to see when a user logged in, which app they accessed, and when they signed off.

Agile process – The agile approach to application development is becoming more popular. Thus, most vendors adopt this approach in their software.

Benefits of IT Development Software

Tailor-Made: IT development software can be created using the latest technology and can be customized for the client’s business needs.

Greater Value: Over the long term, the benefits of developing custom IT software are far higher than investing in ready-made products.

Easy Maintenance: Custom IT development software and apps can be easily maintained for as long as you use them.

Integration: You can integrate the IT development software with multiple apps that you use to boost productivity.

Reliable Support: Top vendors offer reliable technical and customer support to resolve all your queries and issues promptly and efficiently.

How to Select a Suitable Vendor

Be Clear About What You Need

This will help you to make a list of features that can do the required tasks. Prepare this must-have list and resist the temptation to go in for gimmicky “bells and whistles.” Be sure about what you are looking for in the software. The system should align with your business goals and stakeholders’ needs.

Check the Vendor’s Credentials

Do a thorough background check of IT development software providers to find out their longevity in business and whether they are a thriving concern. The vendor should exhibit strong credibility and capabilities, possess partner certifications for the solution you want to buy, and ideally have a product development team consisting of knowledgeable engineers.

Get User Feedback

Get references from the vendor and ask these clients about their experiences with the software. Ask the users how long they have been using the product, whether the system addresses their specific business needs, and whether the customer support agents are prompt and knowledgeable. You can also read online reviews to learn more about the software and the provider.

Scalability

Look for a system that is customizable and scalable to keep up with your company’s growth. This is important as your investment should be viable over the long term, and you shouldn’t find yourself in a future situation where your company’s needs have outgrown the capabilities of the IT development software you buy today.

Beware of Hidden Fees

Read the fine print of the contract carefully to check if there are added fees for setup, training, maintenance, document management services, and customer support. Beware of provisions that enable the vendor to raise the fees after some time. Make sure there is an exit clause that allows you to end the contract prematurely if the solution does not work for you.

What Happens If You Divorce the Vendor

Be clear about what happens to your data if you end the contract for some reason. Some vendors are known to hold back a client’s data or charge a significant amount to prevent them from leaving. So before you sign the contract, ask the vendor whether they will return your data in case of divorce. You may have to cough up a fee if the vendor encrypts your data, but that is understandable and par for the course.

Work Out the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Before you sign the contract, collaborate with the vendor to create KPIs to ensure the implementation is a success. Be clear about what the software should accomplish for you and select an application and vendor that guarantees to fulfill your needs. This can ensure successful implementation, which can lead to a long-term partnership with the software provider.

Consider the Following Factors in Your Evaluation Process

Integrations – The IT development software should smoothly integrate with the legacy systems you use to boost the efficiency and productivity of the applications. Successful integration can also eliminate repeat data entry and ensure all systems are updated with relevant information.

Setup and training – Select a vendor who will help to set up the software and train your company’s employees to use the system effectively. The solution should be easy to learn and use so that your employees are motivated to utilize it productively.

Customer support – The provider should offer reliable technical and customer support to resolve any issues you may have with the software.

Upgrades and updates – Select a cloud-based system as the vendor updates and upgrades the software automatically without any disruption to your business.

Cost of IT Development Software

Nowadays, there are top open-source IT development software that come at no cost. However, working with those platforms are not always for everyone.

Some free commercial versions, on the other hand, may also offer minimal capabilities out of their full range. They could provide full access to their features, but they would put a cap on the number of elements you can add, the type of deployment you can do, the number of integrations you can make, and more.

Meanwhile, IT development solutions that have paid subscription plans offer you stability and scalability. That means to say; you can expect the platforms to perform whenever you need them. Plus, you can upgrade to another tier when your requirements expand.

On that note, IT development tools can cost anywhere between $2 to over $25 per month. You have to also remember that there are platforms that charge per user or have per user and annual plans only.

Latest Trends in IT Development Software

Increasingly code-free development: Low-code application development platforms are taking the field by storm, and it shows no signs of stopping. Indeed, it is picking up and evolving along the way. Soon, developers will be turning towards code-free platforms, which leverage objects in programming instead.

AI technology for debugging will become more common: Debugging is one of the most laborious processes in IT development. To make it easier, vendors are adding artificial intelligence to their platforms. As this trend continues, we will see businesses relying more on smart debugging solutions that find and resolve bugs automatically.

Bottom Line

There is no doubt that a good quality IT development software can boost your employees’ efficiency and productivity. But don’t get taken in by the reputation of a software and its provider. A high-end solution packed with robust features may not serve your purpose if you don’t need all the functionalities. Do your homework thoroughly and follow the tips provided in this buyer’s guide to make educated comparisons to select the right IT development software for your company needs.

Things to consider when you invest in a SaaS

Pricing details are a key consideration when you analyze SaaS providers. Ask the vendor if they offer price safeguards and contractual flexibility. “Shelfware” has become a major problem in SaaS licensing as customers end up shelling out for more than they require. Plus, to get pricing predictability, customers are forced to subscribe to long-term agreements. Make sure you don’t get saddled with long-term licensing and get locked in for a long period with a single provider. Ask about easy exit policies that enable you to move on to another provider if you are not satisfied with the services provided by the current one. Select a vendor that offers a handy standard annual termination facility as well as long-term price protection.

Another key factor to consider is whether the cloud provider meets compliance and security requirements. Your firm is accountable to employees, clients, business partners, and regulators. Therefore, you should pick a provider that has adopted a technically sound and comprehensive security program. Map your security control needs such as availability, integrity, confidentiality, privacy, and accountability to the vendor’s capabilities. Ask the potential vendor about the procedures and systems they use to protect your private data. Do they meet general as well as industry-specific compliance and security regulations? Do they offer special measures to meet the unique security requirements of your particular industry? Get satisfactory answers to these questions before you make the investment.

Frequently asked questions about IT Development Software

The best IT development software is Alpha Anywhere. It is an intuitive platform that enables users with even a low level of app building proficiency to build functional applications. Thus, businesses can meet their enterprise application needs in a short time.

Effortless maintenance. Users do not have to scratch their heads when it comes to the maintenance of IT development platforms.

Third-party software integrations. The entire application development workflow does not just rely on a single IT development tool. That is why such solutions interface with other apps to provide seamless workflows.

The easiest IT development software to use is ActiveBatch. It is a cross-platform tool that automates workflows, from job scheduling to workload distribution. It also has features that enable users to manage workloads effectively. What’s more, it expedites application development because of its no-code assembly through prebuilt, pre-tested, and production-ready Job Steps.

A good free IT development software is BitBucket. It has Git repository hosting as well as native Jira integration. With it, you can also leverage APIs and third-party integrations. Through these features, you can streamline processes, such as issue tracking and debugging. What’s more, it lets teams create and maintain a wiki to help project members resolve common issues.

Senior writer at FinancesOnline who writes about a wide range of SaaS and B2B products, including trends and issues on e-commerce, accounting and customer service software. She’s also covered a wide range of topics in business, science, and technology for websites in the U.S., Australia and Singapore, keeping tabs on edge tech like 3D printed health monitoring tattoos and SpaceX’s exploration plans.

Updated June 04, 2020

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